Attorney General Holder was before Congress again today, the second time in a week. This time fielding questions from a Senate committee about Operation Fast & Furious – the Justice Department gun-running program that resulted in the murder of a U.S. Border Patrol agent.

Like his appearance before a House committee last week, today’s testimony produced more exchanges, but nothing new in the way of specifics about what he knew and when – key information that he has failed to produce on numerous occasions.

Today’s testimony comes just eight days before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee is scheduled to vote to determine whether Holder should be held in contempt of Congress over Fast & Furious.

In scheduling the vote, Committee Chairman Darrell Issa (R-CA) said Holder “failed to meet his legal obligations.” As Rep. Issa put it: “The Obama administration has not asserted Executive Privilege or any other valid privilege over these materials, and it is unacceptable that the Department of Justice refuses to produce them.” House Speaker John Boehner said the DOJ is “out of excuses.”

How did the Justice Department react to this news? A Justice Department spokesperson called the scheduled vote “unfortunate and unwarranted.”

The truth is what is really “unfortunate and unwarranted” is the Attorney General’s continued refusal to cooperate fully. Withholding information and refusing to spell out details about this botched program – even as new information surfaced, as we reported last week – new wiretap information that revealed top high-ranking Justice Department officials – and perhaps the Attorney General himself – knew more about Fast & Furious than they were telling Congress.

“It is more with sorrow than regret and anger that I would say that you leave me no alternative, than to join those who call upon you to resign your office,” the Texas Republican said. “Americans deserve an attorney general who will be honest with them. They deserve an attorney general who will uphold the basic standards of political independence and accountability. You have proven time and time again, sadly, that you’re unwilling to do so. I’m afraid we have come to an impasse… you have violated the public trust, in my view.”

Holder said he has no intention of resigning. And, in fact, tried to paint a picture of compromise today saying he believes a deal over the documents could be reached. “I myself am offering to sit down with the speaker, the chairman, whoever, to try to work out a way through this in an attempt to avoid a constitutional crisis,” Holder said.

But Congressional Republicans see this latest this “olive-branch” offer for what it really is – another tactic to delay and stonewall. A spokesman for House Speaker John Boehner said he’s willing to meet with Holder, but only after the Attorney General first complies with congressional demands for documents and information.

Holder can avoid the contempt vote. All he has to do is comply and release the information before next Wednesday. But with his track record on this issue, and continued lack of cooperation, don’t count on it.

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A blog that examines the people and the cases behind the intersection of faith and public life. A look at the ever-growing challenges facing Christians and the action taken to protect religious freedom in America and abroad. Faith & Justice: Standing up for the rights of Christians - featuring leading constitutional attorney Jay Sekulow, Chief Counsel of the American Center for Law and Justice.

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Jay Sekulow

Jay Sekulow is Chief Counsel for the American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ), a law firm and educational organization that focuses on constitutional law. He is also Chief Counsel of the European Centre for Law and Justice (ECLJ).

Jay Sekulow is one of the leading defenders of constitutional rights and religious liberties in the United States. Over the past 25 years, Jay Sekulow has amassed an unparalleled record of accomplishment, arguing before the U.S. Supreme Court on 12 occasions. His aggressive litigation strategy before the Supreme Court has led to many landmark First Amendment victories.

In his first case before the Supreme Court, Jews for Jesus, Jay Sekulow secured the right of religious groups to pass out tracks in airports. In Mergens, Jay Sekulow successfully protected the right of students to form Bible clubs and prayer groups on public school campuses. In Lamb’s Chapel, Jay Sekulow cleared the way for churches to have equal access to public facilities in the same way that other groups are permitted to utilize those facilities. In the Bray and Operation Rescue cases, Jay Sekulow protected the free speech rights of pro-life advocates to be free from criminal prosecution for conveying their pro-life message. In McConnell v. FEC, Jay Sekulow protected the right of young people to engage in the political process by donating to the campaign of their choice. In Pleasant Grove, Jay Sekulow paved the way for governments to be able to display Ten Commandments monuments, and other monuments of their choosing, in public parks.

Through the ACLJ, Jay Sekulow engages the political, legal, and cultural battles facing America today. He routinely works with Members of Congress, advising them on proposed legislation and representing them in critical legal matters. Jay Sekulow has also testified before Congress on the constitutionality of proposed legislation.

Also, in addition to being a successful Supreme Court advocate, Jay Sekulow is a highly respected broadcaster. Jay Sekulow is the host of Jay Sekulow Live! which airs each weekday on over 850 radio stations nationwide, in addition Sirius and XM satellite radio. He brings insight and education to listeners daily through this national call-in radio program. He is also the host of the ACLJ This Week, the ACLJ’s weekly television program.

Jay Sekulow regularly appears on major media outlets, including FOX News, CNN, ABC, CBS, and NBC, where he is sought out for his vast experience in constitutional law and his unique insight into many of the pressing legal and political issues facing America today. He is frequently quoted in the nation's leading newspapers and often contributes opinion editorials to national publications. Jay Sekulow has also published numerous law review and other scholarly articles.

Jay Sekulow has received numerous honors for his groundbreaking legal work in the area of free speech and religious liberties. The Legal Times has named Sekulow one of “The 90 Greatest Washington Lawyers of the Last 30 Years” and the National Law Journal has twice named Sekulow one of the “100 Most Influential Lawyers” in the United States. In addition, TIME Magazine listed Jay Sekulow as one of the "25 Most Influential Evangelicals" in America.

Jay Sekulow’s legal work in defense of religious liberties and human rights extends beyond the United States, having founded the ECLJ in Strasbourg, France, which maintains consultative status with the United Nations. He has also opened offices in Pakistan, Africa, and Jerusalem, Israel. Jay Sekulow is a staunch defender of Israel, presenting arguments before the International Criminal Court at the Hague. His efforts in support of Israel’s right to defend itself from terrorist attacks have been commended by Israeli government officials, one official stating, "Jay was instrumentally-involved in projects that the President of Israel and the Prime Minister put on our national agenda."

Jay Sekulow also has a passion for educating the next generation of religious liberty advocates. He is a member of the Regent University Law School Faculty as a Distinguished Professor of Law and routinely teaches courses on constitutional law and presents guest lectures. Jay Sekulow has also started educational programs in international human rights law in Strasbourg, France and at Handong University in South Korea.

Jay Sekulow is a graduate of Mercer University, earning both a bachelor’s degree and doctor of jurisprudence. Sekulow served on the editorial staff of the Mercer Law Review and graduated cum laude. He later earned a Ph.D. from Regent University, writing his dissertation on American Legal History. Jay Sekulow also serves on the Board of Trustees for The Supreme Court Historical Society in Washington, D.C.